The Pre-eminence of Love
Memory Verse:
“And now abideth faith, hope,
charity,
these three; but the greatest
of these is charity”
I Cor 13:13
Text: I Cor 13:13
• The more excellent Way. I Cor
12:31
• Love is the heartbeat of the
Church
• A beautiful church without
love is like a beautiful lady
without a heart or a
Paul’s Concern:
•
•
•
•
Attitude > Altitude
Behavior > Business in Church
Character > Charisma
Devotion > Duty
Question:
• What Central Truth did Paul
emphasize in this chapter?
1. Priority of Love to Spiritual Gifts – I Cor 3:1-3
• Types of Love: Eros, Philia, Agape
• All combined in marriage.
• Agape (Christ-like) emphasized in
church.
Rom 5:5-8
• Unconditional – Not for gain
• Sacrificial – Beyond
convenience
• Decisional/Commitment
“The nails didn’t keep Jesus on the
cross, His love for you did…”
Question:
• What Kind of Love is Paul
talking about here and how
did Christ exemplify it?
Question:
•
Identify the gifts the
Corinthian Church
manifested without love (in
our text)
2. Properties of True Love – I Cor 13; 4-7
• Suffers long; Endurance,
Forbearance and Tolerance
• Kind; Tender, Giver, Helper
• Envies Not; not jealous or
covetous
“if you are always intimidated by
another man’s success, watch
yourself..”
Properties (Continued…)
• Vaunteth not; “Love doesn’t
brag and drag all attention
to itself”
• Not Puffed off; not Proud (not
even of your humility)
• Don’t behave unseemly (rude,
unpolite, mindful of others’
feelings)
Properties (Continued…)
• Seeketh not her own (Unselfish,
Not tribalistic or “churchistic”.
• Not easily provoked. (not hottempered)
• Thinketh no evil – death/failure
of others
• Rejoiceth not in sin (not
lustful, immoral)
Properties (Continued…)
• Rejoiceth in Truth – True Love
Corrects.
• Beareth all things – Protect
others’ weaknesses.
• Believeth all things – not
gullible but not suspicious
• Hopeth all things (In God’s
promises)
Properties (Continued…)
• Endureth all things: like the
military guards at the tomb of
the unknown soldiers
Question :
• 1 Peter 4:8; How can love cover
the multitude of sin?
3. The Perseverance and Supremacy of Love
•
•
•
•
1 Cor 13:8-13
Gifts fade; Love lasts
Love perfects. I John 4;18
Love matures. “Love is the
hallmark of spiritual maturity”.
Put away childish things.
• Love clears your vision.
Luke 10:29 - The Good Samaritan
• Love is the greatest. I Cor 13:13
• Love is the heartbeat of a
Christian
Vital signs: Faith, Hope, Love (the
most crucial - the heart/pulse)
I John 4:7
• God is Love
• You cannot have true Love
without God; and you cannot
have God and not have Love.
• The more of God; the more of
Love
Conclusion:
• How much of God do you have?
• How much of Love do you have?
• Remember Love is an action
word.
• Show us love to someone
everyday.